GB2170371A - Superimposing apparatus - Google Patents

Description

1 GB 2 170 371 A 1

SPECIFICATION 65 Still another object of the present invention is to

Superimposing Apparatus provide a superimposing apparatus in which the storage medium is interchangeable with another The present invention generally relates to storage medium recorded with different second superimposing apparatuses, and more particularly positional information and character information.

to a superimposing apparatus which carries out a 70 According to the superimposing apparatus of the superimposed display by mixing a character signal present invention, it is possible to carry out a to a video signal which includes a positional superimposed display corresponding to the picture information. reproduced from the disc. In addition, one kind of Conventionally, there is a rotary recording disc can be used in regions wherein different medium (hereinafter simply referred to as a disc) 75 languages are used, and the manufacturing cost of which is recorded with an information signal such the disc can therefore be reduced.

as a video signal, and a disc reproducing apparatus A further object of the present invention is to for reproducing the recorded information signal provide a superimposing apparatus in whoich the from the disc by use of a laser beam, for example. character signal generating means is designed to When recording on the disc a program such as a 80 supplyto the mixed signal generating means a movie which is in English, for example, it is character signal which is generated when the first necessary to superimpose sentences in a certain positional information and the second positional language if the disc is to be marketed in a region information coincide continuously for a wherein a language other than English is used. predetermined time period. According to the Hence, the disc having the superimposed display of 85 superimposing apparatus of the present invention, the sentences in the certain language must be it is possible to prevent an erroneous superimposed manufactured for each of the regions wherein a display from being carried out even when an error different language is used. In other words, a occurs during a read-out of the first positional plurality of kinds of discs must be manufactured information of the video signal.

with the superimposed display of the sentences in a 90 Another object of the present invention is to plurality of languages which are used in the provide a superimposing apparatus in which the respective regions wherein the discs are to be storage medium is recorded with a character marketed, although the discs are recorded with the information and a display time information in same program. As a result, there is a problem in that correspondence with the second positional the manufacturing cost of the disc becomes high 95, information. According to the superimposing due to the necessity to manufacture a plurality of apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to kinds of discs recorded with the same program but maintain the superimposed displayfor a desired having the superimposed display of sentences in time.

different languages. Another object of the present invention is to Accordingly, it is a general object of the present 100provide a superimposing apparatus in which the invention to provide a novel and useful character signal generating means comprises superimposing apparatus in which the problems instructing means for instructing a position on the described heretofore are eliminated. picture where the superimposed display is to be The present invention provides a superimposing carried out, and the generated character signal is apparatus comprising, obtaining means for 105 supplied to the mixed signal generating means only obtaining a first positional information from a video during a time period in which an instruction is made signal including the first positional information, by the instructing means. According to the comparing means for comparing a second superimposing apparatus of the present invention, positional information read out from a storage it is possible to carry out the superimposed display medium with the first positional information 110 at a desired position on the picture according to the obtained in said obtaining means, varying means instruction.

for varying a read-out position on the recording Other objects and further features of the present - medium according to a compared result in said invention will be apparentfrom the following comparing means so that the second positional detailed description when read in conjunction with information coincides with the first positional 115 the accompanying drawings.

information, character signal generating means for Fig. 1 is a block diagram generally showing the generating a character signal by reading out from superimposing apparatus according to the present the storage medium a character information invention in use; corresponding to the second positional information Fig. 2 is a system block diagram showing an when the first positional information and the second 120 embodiment of the superimposing apparatus positional information coincide, and a mixed signal according to the present invention; generating means for generating a mixed signal for Fig. 3 shows a recording format of a positional a superimposed display by mixing to the video information within a video signal; signal the charactersignal generated from said Figs. 4(A) through 4(C) are diagrams for character signal generating means. 125 explaining the positional information within the According to the superimposing apparatus of the video signal; present invention, it is possible to accurately read Fig. 5 is a diagram for explaining stored contents out from the storage medium and display characters of a text ROM; corresponding to pictures. Figs. 6A and 6B are an external perspective view 2 GB 2 170 371 A 2 and a cross sectional view respectively showing the is recorded at a constant linear velocity or in a superimposing apparatus shown in Fig. 2; constant angular velocity (CAV) mode in which the Figs. 7(A) through 7(K) are time charts for information signal is recorded at a constant angular explaining operations parts of the superimposing velocity. In the case of the disc recorded in the CLV apparatus shown in Fig. 2; 70 mode, a 48-bit first positional information is Fig. 8 is an embodiment of an integrated circuit recorded at the 16-th H and the 17-th H of the constituting an error protect circuit of the recorded video signal. The first positional superimposing apparatus shown in Fig. 2; and information includes a time address which indicates Figs. 9(A) through 9(F) are time charts for a reproducing time from a start of a prog ram on the explaining operations of other parts of the 75 disc, and the time address indicates a maximum of superimposing apparatus shown in Fig. 2. "'1 " hour, "00" minute, "00" second, and "00/30" Fig. 1 generally shows the superimposing second. The information signal is a digital signal apparatus according to the present invention in use. shown in Fig. 3, for example. In Fig. 3, a 24-bit digital A disc reproducing apparatus I plays a disc (not signal is recorded at a rate of one bit in two Vsec shown) which is recorded with a video signal 80 after a color burst signal CB. A high level of the including a positional information, and the video digital signal corresponds to -a white peak level, and signal which is reproduced from the disc is supplied a low level of the digital signal corresponds to a to a superimposing apparatus 2. The superimposing pedestal level. The digital signal represents a "1" apparatus 2 generates a character signal when a rising edge of a pulse is within a time period corresponding to the positional information 85 (bit cell) of two lisec, and represents a "0" when a included in the reproduced video signal, and falling edge of a pulse is within the time period of supplies to a television receiver 3 a mixed video two psec. In the case shown in Fig. 3, first through signal which is obtained by mixing the character fourth bits of the digital signal represents "'! 001".

signal to the video signal. The television receiver 3 The rise or fall in the first bit occurs 0.1 88H+0.003H carries out a CRT display of the mixed video signal, go after a fall in the horizontal synchronizing signal, and a picture having characters superimposed where H represents one horizontal scanning period.

therewith is obtained. As shown in Fig. 4(A), the 24-bit positional Fig. 2 is a system block diagram showing an information of the 16-th H comprises 4-bit blocks embodiment of the superimposing apparatus 2 60a through 60f. The blocks 60a and 60c are according to the present invention. In Fig. 2, the 95 discrimination blocks, and respectively have video signal which is reproduced from the disc on hexadecimal values "8" and "D". The block 60b the disc reproducing apparatus 1 is applied to a indicates a tens digit of the seconds, and terminal 10. hexadecimal values "A" through "F" of the block The reproduced video signal is amplified in an 60b respectively correspond to decimal values "0" amplifier 11 and is supplied to a synchronizing 100 through "5". The blocks 60d, 60e, and 60f signal separating circuit 12, a comparator 13, and an respectively indicate a ones digit of the seconds, a analog switch Q1. The synchronizing signal tens digit of the 1/30 second, and a ones digit of the separating circuit 12 separates vertical and 1/30 second, and contain numerical values in a horizontal synchronizing signals from the video binary coded decimal (BCD) code. In addition, the signal, and supplies the vertical synchronizing 105 24-bit positional information of the 17-th H signal to a reset terminal R of a counter 14 and a comprises 4-bit blocks 61 a through 61f. The blocks count terminal of a down counter 15. On the other 61 a, 61c and 61d are discrimination blocks, and hand, the horizontal synchronizing signal is respectively have hexadecimal values "P, "D", and supplied to a count terminal of the counter 14. The "D". The block 61 b indicates the hour, and the counter 14 is reset by the incoming vertical 110 blocks 61 e and 61f respectively indicate a tens digit synchronizing signal and counts the horizontal and a ones digit of the minutes. The blocks 61 b, 61 e, synchronizing signal supplied thereafter. A counted and 61f contain numerical values in the BCD code.

value in the counter 14 is supplied to a decoder 16 On the other hand, in the case of the disc recorded and a vertical display position decoder 17. The in the CAV mode, a 24-bit first positional decoder 16 detects the sixteenth horizontal 115 information is recorded at the 17-th H of the synchronizing period (hereinafter simply referred to recorded video signal. The first positional as the 16-th H) and the seventeenth horizontal information includes a sequential frame number synchronizing period (hereinafter simply referred to which is numbered for each frame from a start of a as the 17-th H) and supplies to a frequency divider program on the disc, and the frame number 18 a high-level signal only when the 16-th H or the 120 indicates a maximum of 79999 frames. The 17-th H is detected in the decoder 16. The frequency information signal is also a digital signal shown in divider 18 frequency-divides a clock signal which is Fig. 3, for example. As shown in Fig. 4(C), the 24-bit applied to a terminal 19 and has a frequency of 8 positional information comprises 4-bit blocks 62a MHz by 1/16 only during a time period in which the through 62f. The block 62a is a discrimination block, high-level signal is obtained from the decoder 16, 125 and has a hexadecimal value "P. The blocks 62b and generates a sampling clock signal having a through 62f respectively indicate a ten thousands frequency of 500 kHz. This sampling clock signal is digit, a thousands digit, a hundreds digit, a tens supplied to a shift register 20. digit, and a ones digit of the frame number, and The disc is recorded either in a constant linear contain numerical values in the BCD code.

velocity (CLV) mode in which the information signal 130 The comparator 13 is supplied with a predeter- 3 GB 2 170 371 A 3 mined reference voltage VREF which isgreaterthan opening 69 and is connected to a connector 71 the pedestal level of the video signal. The which is arranged on a printed circuit board 70 comparator 13 discriminates whether the positional within the case 66 as shown in Fig. 6B. Terminals of information (digital signal) recorded at the 16-th H the ROM cartridge 65 connecting to the connector and the 17-th H of the video signal has a high level 70 71 include input and output terminals of the text or a low level, and supplies a discriminated result ROM 23 within the ROM cartridge 65 for transferring (that is, the discriminated high or low content of the address and data and a terminal of the mode positional information) to a data terminal D of the detector 21. The signal level at the terminal of the shift register 20. The shift register 20 successively mode detector 21 is high in the case of the ROM samples and shifts the 48-bit positional information 75 cartridge 65 designed exclusively for the CAV mode supplied from the comparator 13 responsive to the and is low in the case of the ROM cartridge 65 output sampling clock signal of the frequency designed exclusively for the CLV mode.

divider 18. The shift register 20 is also supplied with Returning to the description of Fig. 2, it will be a mode signal from a mode detector 21 which will assumed for convenience'sake that the video signal be described later on in the specification. The mode 80 applied to the terminal 10 is reproduced from the signal has a low level when the disc is recorded in disc recorded in the CLV mode and that the ROM the CLV mode and has a high level when the disc is cartridge 65 (text ROM 23) is designed exclusively recorded in the CAV mode. In the case of the disc for the CLV mode.

recorded in the CAV mode, the shift register 20 The horizontal synchronizing signal from the obtains a 16-bit positional information made up of 85 synchronizing signal separating circuit 12 is also each of the groups of four bits respectively supplied to a terminal 24, and is hence supplied to representing the upper four digits of the frame respective reset terminals R of a frequency divider number. In the case of the disc recorded in the CLV 25, a dot counter 26, a character counter 27, and a mode, the shift register 20 obtains a 16-bit positional left margin counter 29 so as to reset the same. The information made up of each of the groups of four 90 frequency divider 25 frequency-divides a clock bits respectively representing the tens digit of the signal which is obtained through a terminal 28 and minutes, the ones digit of the minutes, the tens digit has a frequency of 24 MHz by 1/4 and generates a of the second, and the ones digit of the seconds of clock signal having a frequency of 6 MHz. This the time address. The 16-bit first positional output clock signal of the frequency divider 25 is information f-Dtained from the shift register 20 is 95 supplied to the dot counter 26, the left margin supplied to a terminal A of a comparator 22. counter 29, and a shift register 30. A character which The mode detector 21 and a text ROM 23 are is superimposed with the picture is displayed by a provided in a ROM cartridge 65. The text ROM 23 sixteen by sixteen dot matrix, and one dot is has a memory capacity of eight killobytes. As shown displayed in one period of the 6 MHz clock signal.

in Fig. 5, an address is assigned for every byte in the 100 The dot counter 26 is a hexadecimal counter for text ROM 23. A 16-bit character code is stored in counting the dots. The dot counter 26 supplies a bytes C1 a and C1 b which respectively store eight 4-bit counted value to a timing generator 31 and bits of the character code. Character codes corres- supplies a carry signal to the character counter 27 ponding to fourteen characters are stored in bytes when a high-level enable signal is obtained from the Cla, C1 b,..., C14a, and C14b. A display time in 105 left margin counter 29. The left margin counter 29 terms of 1/30 second is stored as a 16-bit code in determines a display start position of a character bytes C1 5 an, C1 6 with an upper four bits of the which is displayed at an upper left position in the 16-bit code set to "0". In other words, the upper four picture. The left margin counter 29 counts the 6 MHz bits of the byte C1 5 are set to "0". A second clock signal and supplies an 8-bit counted value to positional information is stored in bytes C1 7 and 110 the timing generator 31, and supplies the high-level C18. In the case of the ROM cartridge 65 designed enable signal to the dot counter 26 when the exclusively for the CAV mode, the positional counted value becomes greaterthan or equal to information corresponding to the upper four digits "56". Sixteen characters can be displayed in one of the frame number is stored in the bytes C17 and line within the picture. The character counter 27 C18. On the other hand, in the case of the ROM 115 counts the carry signal from the dot counter 26 so as cartridge 65 designed exclusively for the CLV mode, to determine the position (that is, one of first the positional information corresponding to the four through sixteen positions in one line) of the digits, that is, the tens digit of the minutes, the ones character which is to be displayed in one line. A 4-bit digit of the minutes, the tens digit of the seconds, counted value of the character counter 27 is and the ones digit of the seconds are stored in the 120 supplied to the timing generator 31 and a decoder bytes C17 and C1 8. A phrase (one dialogue) 33. The decoder 33 uses the 4- bit signal from the amounting to one line is constituted by thirty-two character counter 27 and a 1-bit signal from the bytes. Phrases amounting to 256 lines are stored in timing generator 31 to generate an address signal the text ROM 23. corresponding to lower five bits of the 13-bit The superimposing apparatus shown in Fig. 2 is 125 address signal of the text ROM 23, and supplies the accommodated within a case 66 shown in Fig. 6A. A generated address signal to the text ROM 23 and a power source switch 67 and a display position decoder 34. The timing generator 31 generates changing switch 68 are provided on the case 66. An signals for instructing various timings, and one opening 69 is provided at an upper surface of the timing signal from the timing generator 31 is case 66. The ROM cartridge 65 is inserted into the 130supplied to an AND circuit 35.

4 GB 2 170 371 A 4 The vertical display position decoder 17 is decoder 34 supplies to a down counter 44 a latch supplied with the counted value from the counter 14 signal YO shown in Fig. 7(C). The lower four bits of and an instruction signal which is obtained through the byte C1 5 which has the upper four bits thereof a terminal 36. This instruction signal is an output of setto "0" and is read out from the text ROM 23 are the display position changing switch 68. Hence, the 70 set in the down counter 44 responsive to a fall in the vertical display position decoder 17 causes the latch signal YO. Next, during a time period in which superimposed characterto be displayed at an the byte C16 is read out from the text ROM 23, the uppermost or lowermost part of the picture decoder 34 supplies to the down counter 15 a latch according to a value of the instruction signal. When signal Y1 shown in Fig. 7(D), and the value of the displaying the superimposed character at the 75 byte C1 6 is set in the down counter 15 responsive to lowermost part of the picture, the decoder 17 a fall in the latch signal Y1. Further, during time supplies to character generators 37 and 38 a 4-bit periods in which the bytes C17 and C18 are read out vertical position signal which has values "0" from the text ROM 23, the decoder 34 respectively through "l 5" during a time period in which the supplies to latch circuits 45 and 46 latch signals Y2 counted value from the counter 14 is "220"to "236", 80 and Y3 shown in Figs. 7(E) and 7(F). The values of for example, and also suppliesto an AND circuit 39 the bytes C17 and C18 are respectively se ' t in the and an inverter 40 a display instruction signal which latch circuits 45 and 46 responsive to respective assumes a high level only during the time period in rises in the latch signals Y2 and Y3. Figs. 7(G) and which the counted value from the counter 14 is 7(H) respectively show waveforms of lowertwo bits "220" to "236". The display instruction signal which 85 of the 5-bit address signal generated from the is inverted in the inverter 40 is supplied to the AND decoder33.

circuit 35 and the decoder 33. The AND circuit 35 Accordingly, the 16-bit positional information supplies the timing signal from the timing generator read outfrom the text ROM 23 is latched by the latch 31 to the decoder 34 only when no superimposed circuits 45 and 46 in terms of eight bits, and the display is being made on the picture. 90 positional information is supplied to a terminal B of A clock signal generated from the timing the comparator 22. The comparator 22 compares generator3l is supplied to a clock control circuit 42, the positional information supplied to the terminals and the clock control circuit 42 supplies the clock A and B thereof and generates a 2-bit control signal.

signal to an up clock terminal of an up-down counter Afirst bit of the 2bit control signal assumes a high 43 when a 2-bit control signal from the comparator 95 level as shown in Fig. 7(l) when the positional 22 indicates that the positional information within information from the shift register 20 is greaterthan the video signal is greater than the positional the positional information originated from the text inf ormation read out from the text ROM 23. The ROM 23. A second bit of the 2-bit control signal clock control circuit 42 supplies the clock signal to a assumes a high level as shown in Fig. 7(J) only down clockterminal of the up-down counter43 100 when the positional information originated from the when the 2-bit control signal from the comparator text ROM 23 is greaterthan the positional 22 is smallerthan the positional information within information from the shift register 20. The 2-bit the video signal read out from the text ROM 23. The control signal generated from the comparator 22 is clock control circuit 42 stops generating the clock supplied to an OR circuit 41 and the clock control signal when the 2-bit control signal from the 105 circuit 42. The comparator 22 also generates a signal comparator 22 is equal to the positional information shown in Fig. 7(K) which assumes a high level only within the video signal read out from the text ROM when the two positional information coincidej and 23. The up-down counter 43 counts up or down the this signal is supplied to an error protect circuit 47.

clock signal and an 8-bit counted value is supplied to As shown in Fig. 8, the error protect circuit 47 is the text ROM 23 as an address signal corresponding 110 constituted by a semiconductor integrated circuit to upper eight bits of the 13-bit address signal of the 74LS90 which is a counter circuit. In Fig. 8, an output text ROM 23. signal of the OR circuit 41 is applied to a terminal 48 When the ROM cartridge 65 is loaded, an access is and is supplied to reset terminals RO(l) and RO(2) of made to the text ROM 23 by the address signals respective first and second stages of the counter supplied from the up-down counter 43 and the 115 circuit. The output signal of the comparator 22 is decoder 33. While a high-level signal is supplied to applied to a terminal 49 and is supplied to an input the decoder 33 from the inverter 40, the decoder 33 terminal A in the first stage of the counter circuit. An generates a 5-bit address signal having upper three output terminal CIA in the first stage of the counter bits thereof setto "'I", a least significant bit (LSB) of circuit is connected to an input terminal B of the the 4-bit signal from the character counter 27 as a 120 second stage of the counter circuit. An output fourth bit thereof, and the signal from the timing terminal Q13 of the second stage of the counter generator as a fifth bit (that is, LSB) thereof. This circuit is coupled to a set terminal S of a set-and 5-bit address signal from the decoder 33 is supplied reset (SR) flip-flop 51 through a terminal 50. The to the text ROM 23. A clock signal shown in Fig. 7(B)' error protect circuit 47 is cleared when a high-level which is in phase with arising edge of the horizontal 125 signal is applied to the terminal 48, and sets the synchronizing signal shown in Fig. 7(A) is supplied signal level atthe terminals GA and QB to a low level.

to the clock control circuit 42. Thereafter, during a When a low-level signal is applied to the terminal time period in which an access is made to the byte 48, the error protect circuit 47 counts the pulses of C1 5 of one dialogue in the text ROM 23 by the lower the signal obtained through the terminal 49, and 5-bits of the address signal from the decoder 33, the 130 supplies a high- level signal through the terminal 50 GB 2 170 371 A 5 only when the counted value becomes equal to "2". 52 and 53. The timing generator 31 also generates a Th e first positional information of the video signal load signal Y12 shown in Fig. 9(F) and supplies this reproduced from the disc is recorded in the 16-th H load signal Y1 2 to the shift register 30 and the AND and the 17-th H. Hence, when the first positional ci rcu it 39.

information and the second positional information 70 While the low-level signal from the inverter 40 is coincide, the comparator 22 generates a pulse supplied to the decoder 33, the decoder 33 signal which has a high level in the first field of each generates a 5- bit address signal having the upper frame and has a low level in the second field of each four bits thereof constituted by the 4-bit signal from frame. The output pulse signal of the comparator 22 the character counter 27 and the fifth bit (LSB) is supplied to the error protect circuit 47. 75 thereof constituted by the signal from the timing Accordingly, the error protect circuit 47 supplies the generator 31. This 5-bit address signal is supplied to high-level signal through the terminal 50 when the the text ROM 23. The LSB of the address signal first positional information and the second supplied to the text ROM 23 increases by "'I" from positional information continuously coincide for the the first fall in the latch signal Y1 0 to the fiorst rise in time period of two frames, and the flip-flop 51 is set So the latch signal Y1 1. As a result, the character code by this high-level signal. in the bytes C1 a and C1 b which are read out from Therefore, even in the case where the first the text ROM 23 is latched by the latch circuits 52 positional information within the video signal is and 53. The 16-bit character code latched by the read out erroneously due to a dropout and this latch circuits 52 and 52 is converted into a 12-bit erroneously read out first positional information by 85 character code in a code converting circuit 54, and chance coincides with the second positional the 12-bit character code is supplied to the character information from the text ROM 23, for example, the generators 37 and 38. The character generators 37 first positional information will no longer coincide and 38 generate the dot patterns corresponding to with the second positional information one frame the right half and the left half of one character, thereafter when the correct first positional go respectively. The character generators 37 and 38 information is obtained. As a result, the output each generate an 8-bit signal. In other words, a signal level of the AND circuit 41 becomes high and 16-bit signal for indicating the sixteen dots on a line the output signal level of the error protect circuit 47 which is instructed by the vertical position signal accordingly becomes low. As a result, the flip-flop from the vertical display position decoder 17 is 51 is not set, and the superimposed display of an 95 generated by the two character generators 37 and erroneous dialogue is prevented as will be 38, and this 16-bit signal is supplied in parallel to the described later. shift register 30. Since the counted value in the up-down counter The shift register 30 loads

the 16-bit signal from 43 goes up and down, the read-out address of the the character generators 37 and 38 during a low text ROM 23 is varied in such a direction that the 100 level period of the load signal Y12, and thereafter position information obtained from the text ROM 23 performs a shift responsive to the clock signal coincides with the positional information within the obtained from the frequency divider 25. Thus, the video signal. When the two positional information 16-bit signal for display is produced serially form the coincide for the time period of four or more fields, shift register 30. The output signal of the shift the flip-flop 51 is set and an output signal level of the 105 register 30 is supplied to the AND circuit 39. The flip-flop 51 becomes high. The vertical AND circuit 39 supplies the output signal of the shift synchronizing signal having the frequency of 30 Hz register 30 to an analog switch Q2 and an inverter 55 is applied to a clock terminal of the down counter 15, when the load signal Y1 2 has a high level, the output and the down counter 15 performs a down count for signal level of the flip-flop 51 is high, and the display every 1/30 second. A borrow signal from the down 110 instruction signal from the vertical display position counter 15 is supplied to the down counter 44 and is decoder 17 has a high level.

subjected to a down count. Hence, afterthe flip-flop When the signal for display is not obtained from 51 starts to generate the high-level signal and a the AND circuit 39 or when the signal for display 12-bit display time (in terms of 1/30 second) set by obtained from the AND circuit 39 has a low level, the the text ROM 23 in the down counters 15 and 44 115 analog switch 01 is turned ON by an output signal elapses, the output signal level of the flip-flop 51 of the inverter 55 and the video signal from the becomes low. The output signal of the flip-flop 51 is terminal 10 is supplied to an amplifier 56 via the supplied to the AND circuit 39. analog switch Q1. When the level of the signal for Next description will be given for the case where display obtained from the AND circuit 39 becomes the output signal level of the flip-flop 51 is high. 120 high, the analog switch Q1 is turned OFF and the When the left margin counter 29 counts fifty-six analog switch Q2 is turned ON. As a result, a voltage pulses of the 6 MHz clock signal from a rise in the from a variable resistor VR is supplied to the horizontal synchronizing signal shown in Fig. 9(A), amplifier 56.as a luminance signal. The amplifier 56 the enable signal generated from the left margin amplifies the video signal which is mixed with a counter 29 arises as shown in Fig. 9(B). 125 signal depending on the switching of the analog Consequently, the dot counter 26 generates the switches Q1 and Q2, and the output video signal of carry signal shown in Fig. 9(C). The timing generator the amplifier 56 is obtained through an output 31 generates latch signals Y1 0 and Y1 1 respectively terminal 57.

shown in Figs. 9(D) and 9(E), and supplies these Similarly, every time the counted value in the latch signals Y10 and Y1 1 to respective latch circuits 130 character counter 27 increases, the bytes C2a, 6 GB 2 170 371 A 6 C2b,, C14a, and C14b are successively latched by positional information coincides with the first the respective latch circuits 52 and 53, and the signal positional information; for display corresponding to a maximum of fourteen 65 character signal generating means for generating characters in one line is obtained from the shift a character signal by reading out from the storage register 30. Such an operation is repeated, and the medium a character information corresponding to operation of carrying outthe superimposed display the second positional information when the first on the picture is completed. The operation of positional information and the second positional carrying out the superimposed display is continued 70 information coincide; and until the output signal level of the flip-flop 51 a mixed signal generating means for generating a becomes low. mixed signal for a superimposed display by mixing In this manner, a signal indicating characters of a to the video signal the character signal generated sentence orthe like corresponding to the content of from said character signal generating means.

the video signal is mixed with the video signal from 75 2. A superimposing apparatus as claimed in claim the terminal 10 and is obtained through the terminal 1 in which said storage medium is interchangeable 57. with another storage medium recorded with The ROM cartridge 65 shown in Figs. 6A and 6B different second positional information and are interchangeable. Hence, even when the disc to character information.

be played is changed to a different disc, it is possible 80 3. A superimposing apparatus as claimed in claim to carry out the superimposed display 1 in which said first positional information is corresponding to the picture reproduced from the recorded at a predetermined position in a vertical different dis&by changing the ROM cartridge 65 to a synchronizing signal of the video signal, said ROM cartridge corresponding to the different disc. obtaining means obtaining said first positional In addition, by using the character generators 37 85 information by using as a reference a vertical and 38 which are stored with character codes of synchronizing signal separated from the video different languages corresponding to a movie which signal.

is in English, for example, it is possible to enjoy one 4. A superimposing apparatus as claimed in claim kind of disc in a plurality of regions wherein the 1 in which said obtaining means subject the first different languages are used. 90 positional information which is obtained serially to a The recording format of the positional serial-to-parallel conversion and supplies the first information in the video signal obtained from the positional information to said comparing means in terminal 10 is not limited to that of the embodiment parallel.

described heretofore. When a different recording 5. A superimposing apparatus as claimed in claim format is used for the positional information, it is 95 1 in which said video signal is reproduced from a sufficient to perform slight modifications in the rotary recording medium.

decoder 16, the frequency divider 18, the shift 6. A superimposing apparatus as claimed in claim register 20, and the bytes C17 and C1 8 of the text 1 in which said character signal generating means ROM 23. Moreover, the video signal applied to the supplies to said mixed signal generating means a terminal 10 is not limited to a video signal which is 100 character signal which is generated when the first reproduced from the disc. In otherwords, the video positional information and the second positional signal is not limited to that used in the embodiment information coincide continuously for a described heretofore, and the superimposed display predetermined time period.

can be carried out as long as the video signal has the 7. A superimposing apparatus as claimed in claim positional information. Hence, the video signal 105 1 in which said storage medium is recorded with a applied to the terminal 10 may be a video signal character information and a display time reproduced from a recording medium on a video information in correspondence with the second tape recorder or the liker for example. positional information.

Further, the present invention is not limited to 8. A superimposing apparatus as claimed in claim these embodiments, but various variations and 110 7 in which said character signal generating means modifications may be made without departing from supplies the generated character signal to said the scope of the present invention. mixed signal generating means only for a time period instructed by said display time information

Claims (1)

1. CLAIMS after the first positional information coincides with

   1. A superimposing apparatus comprising: 115 the second positional information.

   obtaining means for obtaining a first positional 9. A superimposing apparatus as claimed in claim information from a video signal including the first 1 in which said character signal generating means positional information; comprises instructing means for instructing a comparing means for comparing a second position on a picture where a superimposed display positional information read out from a storage 120 is to be carried out, the generated character signal medium with the first positional information being supplied to said mixed signal generating obtained in said obtaining means; means only during a time period in which an varying means for varying a read-out position on instruction is made by said instructing means.

   the recording medium according to a compared 10. A superimposing apparatus as claimed in result in said comparing means so that the second claim 1 in which said mixed signal generating 7 GB 2 170 371 A 7 means time-division-multiplexes said video signal hereinbefore described withreference to the and said character signal. 5 accompanying drawings.

   11. A superimposing apparatus substantially as Printed for Her Majesty's Stationery Office by Courier Press, Leamington Spa. 711986. Demand No. 8817356.

   Published by the Patent Office, 25 Southampton Buildings, London, WC2A lAY, from which copies may be obtained.

   1